Railroad Settlements and AsbestosIn 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. The act helped to fund two transcontinental railroad companies through large grants to rights-of-way. Railroad workers who contract cancer due to exposure in the workplace may sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).An Illinois jury awarded a $7.5 million verdict to an ex- Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. The man blamed his blood cancer on exposure to creosote benzene and other chemicals used to protect wooden railroad ties.CreosoteCoal tar creosote, a wood preserver, can be used to shield railroad ties from the sun, heat and cold, rain, and snow. Workers are exposed to toxic solvents and chemicals, such as benzene, in the process of applying of coal creosote that is tar. Benzene is a known carcinogen, and can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic disorder and non-Hodgkin's lupus as well in other serious adverse consequences like convulsions changes in your heartbeat, liver damage anemia as well as bone marrow damage. cancer of the skin and lungs.Our attorneys have successfully prosecuted several lawsuits against the Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases ended in the settlement of a $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track department employee was diagnosed with acute myeloid cancer because of exposure to toxic chemical compounds on working for over 31 years. The jury concluded that the railroad did not provide any personal protective gear, and exposed him to a range of toxic chemicals that included coal-tar tar creosote and coal tar distillates.Another argument was the use of copper naphthalenate a replacement for creosote derived from coal. Although copper naphthenate may be less harmful to the environment than creosote, it could nevertheless be extremely hazardous. Copper naphthenate can cause cancer and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage to the lung, skin and nerves. It can also contaminate the groundwater and soil with benzene.BenzeneA colorless, liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, benzene is used in manufacturing of plastics, resins nylon, synthetic fibers and other. It can also be found in diesel fuels and exhaust. pancreatic cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement are frequently inhaled by almost all railroad workers. Benzene is a carcinogen, and has been linked with leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).There is no safe exposure to benzene. It can be breathed in or absorbed through the surface of the skin. Long-term exposure can damage the blood supply and trigger different health issues, including menstrual cycle irregularities, anemia and fertility issues. Benzene can also be linked to certain types of cancers such as breast and lung cancer.Benzene can be ingested orally however it is most dangerous when breathed. Inhaling benzene can cause headaches, dizziness, or nosebleeds. Benzene can also interfere with the immune system, which could result in infections.A recent report revealed the high levels of benzene found in the air around two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad employees were exposed to these pollutant levels, which caused schools to shut down classes and cities to ask residents to take shelter in their homes. Railroad workers, such as car department employees, locomotive mechanics, electricians, and pipefitters use benzene containing products like Safety-Kleen part washers and CRC Brakleen and paints thinners, paints and other products. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.AsbestosAs early as the 1800s, asbestos was used in the railroad industry. Asbestos comprises six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were once very popular in construction for their fire-retardant, fire-retardant, corrosion-resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these fibers could cause serious health problems such as lung cancer and asbestosis. These conditions can take up to 30 years before symptoms appear.The EPA has stopped the mining and process of asbestos in this country However, asbestos is utilized in a variety of products. This includes certain types of paper, flooring felt, and fake fireplace embers. However, if these materials are exposed to heat or water they could release harmful asbestos fibers. They could also be released into air during demolition or remodeling.A recent study has discovered that exposure to benzene even for five years significantly increases the chance of developing acute myeloid cancer (AML). If you're experiencing symptoms like night sweats that are not explained, weight loss and suppression or lack of appetite, see your doctor immediately. They may perform an analysis of your blood to determine AML.The EPA reached a settlement in a recent case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI operates locomotives that emit nitrogen oxides and fine particulates (PM2.5) when they operate on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement requires GWRSI to replace any of its existing locomotives with new ones that comply with EPA emission standards.Diesel ExhaustAs long as diesel fuel is used to power railroads, freight trains will continue to be exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a harmful cocktail of chemicals, including carcinogens like benzene as well as carbon monoxide. It also contains oxides of nitrogen particulate matter, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen. In addition, diesel exhaust can be a source of respiratory illness in the form of bronchiopulmonary disorders like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker's employment with COPD rates.Rail cars and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they are running and idle in roundhouses, depots shops and yards. The engines that are idling emit gases, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxidants in addition to diesel fumes.The smell of diesel exhaust is usually present in locomotive cabs, where engineers and conductors sit for up to six hours at one time. The equipment and the engine emit more diesel exhaust fumes when workers enter and leave the cabs. This can lead to pulmonary and cancerous problems.Furthermore railroad mechanics are also exposed to diesel exhaust in roundhouses that are not ventilated and shops. They work in enclosed areas equipped with track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.